“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
Ephesians 6:12 NIV
Yesterday morning, my attempt to wake up slowly, while sipping a warm cup of coffee next to my husband and the fire, was thwarted. As we laughed about it last night, my daughter recounted the incident, as she had observed from the other room. “Suddenly, I heard a weird noise, followed by Dad questioning, as if afraid of the answer, ‘What did you do?’ Mom made a strange sound; I wasn’t sure if she was laughing or crying. Then, silence.” Thrown into that unexpected moment, I had a choice to make.
Calling him out
I am a Warrior. Every day a battle. Though this battle may appear only against the flesh, evil lurks behind. Satan poised in the flesh, as a shattered french press, demanding boss, screaming baby, defiant teenager, difficult spouse, polarized politics, the media, reactivity. Satan will use anything he can. Always there, he is ready to test our faith and values, ready to steal our peace, and shake our confidence. Therefore, the awareness of his scheme can produce within us, a determination to fully equip ourselves, to be prepared for whatever he throws our way.
Getting ready
God has not left us to face these conflicts alone. We can fight with Truth, wrapped securely around our waists. His Righteousness, we can hold tightly to our chests—the promise of Salvation directing our thoughts to Christ and His sacrifice for us. Our hands and feet His, always ready to spread the gospel of Peace. The Evil One has burning arrows always prepared to strike, but our faith in God lends a Shield of protection. A shield against negativity, always ready to turn us back to see Jesus and to give thanks. Time spent daily in God’s Word equips us with His Spirit, flowing through us, arming us like a sword.
Accepting His partnership
We don’t have to do this life alone! Every day is a new opportunity to be open, live fully, untethered by worry and frustration. Day by day, I’m learning, its in the big and the little things, that God promises to give us all that we need for every situation; It’s just up to us to acknowledge our need, and gracefully or not, accept His out-stretched, nail-scarred hand.